Picture depicts two women sitting on couches talking to each other.
Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling (RSAC) therapists aim to provide a safe, non-judgmental and empowering space for survivors to work through the effects of their trauma. All therapists are master's level clinicians who have specialized in the treatment of sexual abuse, and many are trained in EMDR.
RSAC understands the impact sexual assault can have on a person's life, including those around them. Sexual assault can have a huge impact on the way a person expresses themselves personally and within relationships. Survivors may feel guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, depression and vulnerability after their trauma. It may take years after the trauma event to recognize these feelings. Counseling helps the survivor recognize these feelings, create coping skills, and help adjust to life after sexual assault.
Survivors who seek out services often receive help with issues such as:
RSAC understands the impact sexual assault can have on a person's life, including those around them. Sexual assault can have a huge impact on the way a person expresses themselves personally and within relationships. Survivors may feel guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, depression and vulnerability after their trauma. It may take years after the trauma event to recognize these feelings. Counseling helps the survivor recognize these feelings, create coping skills, and help adjust to life after sexual assault.
Survivors who seek out services often receive help with issues such as:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Rape Trauma Syndrome
- Flashbacks
- Repeated Thoughts and/or Memories
- Anxiety/Fear
- Depression
- Nightmares
- Sleep Disturbances
- Eating Issues
- Trust & Safety Concerns
- Relationship Issues
- Self Esteem
Individual & Group Counseling
RSAC offers a wide range of counseling services including individual and group therapy.
Sexual assault survivor groups are facilitated based off of need. Members must be assessed by an RSAC therapist and attend individual therapy sessions twice a month in order to be considered for group. If you are interested in group, please contact us to start individual therapy sessions or talk to your RSAC therapist for more information.
Sexual assault survivor groups are facilitated based off of need. Members must be assessed by an RSAC therapist and attend individual therapy sessions twice a month in order to be considered for group. If you are interested in group, please contact us to start individual therapy sessions or talk to your RSAC therapist for more information.
Children's Counseling
RSAC offers child centered play therapy and utilizes play therapy aspects such as sandtray, doll house, art supplies, playdough, and much more. Therapists are trained in sexual abuse play therapy and are required to seek out continued education.
For more information about play therapy, visit The Association for Play Therapy page "Why Play Therapy?"
For more information about play therapy, visit The Association for Play Therapy page "Why Play Therapy?"
School Based Services
RSAC provides school-based services to our 3 county service area!
In Winnebago County, outreach therapists provide school-based counseling services, funded in part by the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB). This is RSAC's third year (2023) receiving WCCMHB funding. To learn more about the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the half-cent sales tax voted on by county board members, CLICK HERE.
In Ogle County, outreach therapists provide school-based counseling services, funded in part by the Ogle County Community Mental Health 708 Board. To learn more about the Ogle County Community Mental Health 708 Board, CLICK HERE.
Outreach therapists provide therapy to schools in the area to ensure that child and adolescent sexual abuse/assault survivors can receive free quality therapy services. Sexual abuse and assault cause severe emotional disturbances, which can be helped by having trained professionals providing therapy. Since many children and adolescents have transportation issues, providing therapy in the schools meets the survivors in a safe, convenient place that allows for consistent appointments.
If you are in need of counseling services, contact your school social worker/counselor to get you set up! If they don't already have an RSAC contact, reach out to us so we can get those services in your school.
Counseling is also free and confidential while at school. Teens ages 12-16, by law, are allowed 8 sessions without parent consent. CLICK HERE to learn more.
In Winnebago County, outreach therapists provide school-based counseling services, funded in part by the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB). This is RSAC's third year (2023) receiving WCCMHB funding. To learn more about the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the half-cent sales tax voted on by county board members, CLICK HERE.
In Ogle County, outreach therapists provide school-based counseling services, funded in part by the Ogle County Community Mental Health 708 Board. To learn more about the Ogle County Community Mental Health 708 Board, CLICK HERE.
Outreach therapists provide therapy to schools in the area to ensure that child and adolescent sexual abuse/assault survivors can receive free quality therapy services. Sexual abuse and assault cause severe emotional disturbances, which can be helped by having trained professionals providing therapy. Since many children and adolescents have transportation issues, providing therapy in the schools meets the survivors in a safe, convenient place that allows for consistent appointments.
If you are in need of counseling services, contact your school social worker/counselor to get you set up! If they don't already have an RSAC contact, reach out to us so we can get those services in your school.
Counseling is also free and confidential while at school. Teens ages 12-16, by law, are allowed 8 sessions without parent consent. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Who Can Receive Counseling?
Counseling is offered to those who have experienced sexual violence of any type and at any point in their life, their significant others,
and non-offending family members ages 3 & up.
All services are free. RSAC does not discriminate due to race, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender or ability.
If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please contact Erica Engler at 815-636-9811.
and non-offending family members ages 3 & up.
All services are free. RSAC does not discriminate due to race, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender or ability.
If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please contact Erica Engler at 815-636-9811.
